World's Fastest Six-Seat Crossover Concept Gets Nod for Production
Mercedes-Benz's efforts at this year's Frankfurt show can be described nothing less than heroic. For the 61st event, the Stuttgart-based automaker
will be showing a large number of new cars, crossovers and SUVs, including some of the fastest all-weather, all-terrain vehicles any road has ever seen. Included on the bill is the new R-Class crossover vehicle with available 5.0-litre V8 power, plus the all-new S-Class with a biturbo V12. Mercedes' AMG tuning division will also be showing its new 6.3-litre V8 motor and the first vehicle to receive it, the ML sport utility. But yet there's more on the displays, with this year's stunning Vision R63 AMG concept.
As you already know, any Mercedes-Benz touting the word "Vision" in its name is a thinly veiled version of a production vehicle soon to come. All but the late '90s Vision SLA and the two latest diesel-powered roadsters have had major impact on
current production models. The Vision R63 AMG continues this pattern, giving us a crystal-clear image of what to expect in the months to come. The R63 shows Benz's interest in producing a powerhouse performance crossover, but it also marks the first showing of the long-wheelbase model of the R-Class.
Under the R's steeply raked hood lies a monster of a powerplant. Out goes the now familiar 5.5-litre, supercharged V8, stock machinery for the R55 AMG, replaced by a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8 designed and engineered solely by AMG. Output is pegged at a massive 510-horsepower backed up by a monstrous 465 lb-ft of torque. This could very well be the fastest way to transport six people to 100 km/h, taking an estimated five seconds to reach that speed. Top speed, even in concept form is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz's efforts at this year's Frankfurt show can be described nothing less than heroic. For the 61st event, the Stuttgart-based automaker
 |
| Included on the Frankfurt bill is the new Vision R63 AMG concept. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
As you already know, any Mercedes-Benz touting the word "Vision" in its name is a thinly veiled version of a production vehicle soon to come. All but the late '90s Vision SLA and the two latest diesel-powered roadsters have had major impact on
 |
| The R63 shows Benz's interest in producing a powerhouse performance crossover, but it also marks the first showing of the long-wheelbase model of the R-Class. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Under the R's steeply raked hood lies a monster of a powerplant. Out goes the now familiar 5.5-litre, supercharged V8, stock machinery for the R55 AMG, replaced by a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8 designed and engineered solely by AMG. Output is pegged at a massive 510-horsepower backed up by a monstrous 465 lb-ft of torque. This could very well be the fastest way to transport six people to 100 km/h, taking an estimated five seconds to reach that speed. Top speed, even in concept form is electronically limited to 250 km/h.